Surgical instrument having a multi-layered drive beam

• US 9,364,223 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2013
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Scirica, Paul A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US13/899,675
• Publication Number:
  US 20130248582A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175.1, 227/175.2, 227/176.1, 227/180.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0084 low friction A61B2017/00853 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00845 of moving parts with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00853 low friction, hydrophobic and corrosion-resistant fluorocarbon resin coating (ptf, ptfe, polytetrafluoroethylene)
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00964 composite
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2902 characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 : Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 : Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments

Abstract

A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, a movable handle, a tool assembly, a drive beam and a closure apparatus is disclosed. The movable handle is in mechanical cooperation with a drive member. The tool assembly includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface. The drive beam includes a plurality of layers and at least one layer has a proximal engagement portion and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member. The closure apparatus is configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly. At least a partial actuation of the movable handle moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly. At least one of the layers of the drive beam is affixed to an adjacent layer of the drive beam via at least one spot weld.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a body portion defining a first longitudinal axis;

a drive member;

a tool assembly including an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface, the tool assembly being supported adjacent a distal end of the body portion;

a drive beam including a plurality of layers, at least one layer of the plurality of layers having a proximal engagement portion disposed adjacent a proximal end thereof and being configured to engage a portion of the drive member; and

a closure apparatus disposed adjacent a distal end of the drive beam being configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly, wherein movement of the drive member moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly,

at least one layer of the plurality of layers of the drive beam being affixed to an adjacent layer of the plurality of layers of the drive beam via at least one spot weld, the plurality of layers of the drive beam including two outer layers and at least one inner layer, and the two outer layers being affixed to the closure apparatus and to the at least one inner layer.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the plurality of layers of the drive beam includes between four layers and six layers.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the plurality of layers of the drive beam includes five layers.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein at least one layer of the plurality of layers of the drive beam is made of stainless steel.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein each layer of the plurality of layers of the drive beam is made of stainless steel.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the closure apparatus includes a cutting surface thereon.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the plurality of layers of the drive beam includes two outer layers and at least two inner layers, the two outer layers being affixed to the closure apparatus in at least one location, the two outer layers being affixed to at least one inner layer in at least one location, and the at least two inner layers being affixed to an adjacent inner layer in at least one location.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the closure apparatus is generally I-shaped.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the two outer layers each have an aperture and the closure apparatus has a boss for each aperture of the outer layers, each boss being received in the aperture of one of the outer layers.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein each layer of the plurality of layers of the drive beam includes a plurality of cutouts disposed therethrough.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein the plurality of cutouts are staggered.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the drive beam is part of a disposable loading unit.